European rights court upholds France's burqa ban
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 1 July 2014 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, European rights court upholds France's burqa ban, 1 July 2014, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/53ce3036d.html [accessed 22 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
July 01, 2014
Women wearing full-face veils in public spaces has been banned in France since 2011.
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has upheld France's ban on women wearing the burqa.
The Strasbourg court ruled on July 1 against a French woman who claimed that the ban – instituted in 2011 – is "degrading" and violated her religious freedom.
The 24-year-old university graduate has requested anonymity because of concern over negative reaction to her lawsuit in France, which has one of Europe's largest Muslim populations.
She had said she would be willing to remove her burqa when necessary for security reasons, one of France's main justifications for banning burqas.
Women wearing full-face veils in public spaces can be fined up to 150 euros ($205).
Belgium and some parts of Switzerland have followed France's lead in banning burqas in public.
Parts of Italy and the Netherlands are also considering instituting the burqa ban.
Based on reporting by Reuters and AFP
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
